Modeling programs are an excellent tool to calculate and predict some properties of antennas - radiators. What they do not "see" is the propagation mechanism after RF leaves the antenna. "Space wave"
Depends what are you expecting from Skimmer-RX-ANT setup. If you want skimmer to find DX before the pack and looking for low angle signals, then setup better use antenna with proper low angle vertica
Hi Richard, How does the radiation diagram, pattern look with offset radials? I would suspect some enhancement in the direction of the old radial field. (RF mirror) Do the numbers apply to overall av
Hi Mike, from your description, I think you would be best off not to fold back the top wire, but try to "go away" horizontally as much as possible. Folding back in "U" manner makes the current/radiat
What matters? Technology. Engine on a sail boat, Cessna vs. glider, biker vs. runner and "competing" in the same category. (According to ham radio "logic") DXCC was destroyed by lists and nets waaa
One #10 wire connection should be sufficient. Just water the lawn before the contest. Topbanders, I searched the archives under "ground screen" and could not find info on my situation. I have a 15 f
More in the category of ducting. http://www.k3bu.us/propagation.htm No one's mentioned the "Spotlight" phenomenon, which occasionally happens on 160. The signal comes shining down from the "upper lay
There appear to be different propagation patterns during various sunspot cycles. From my article in CQ Magazine June 1980: http://www.k3bu.us/propagation.htm It is known that with increased sunspot a
Don't forget that in the ground there are "travelling" Eddy currents, being generated by all kinds od "services". The worst are in the areas where trolley services, electric trains and other high pow
I had 1300 ft Beverage running down the hill, it sucked (not signals). Inv Vee was beating it. I cut it in half and second night in the contest it worked well, beating Inv Vee on DX signals. It looks
Just got info from Herb, KV4FZ, I thought I share it. Yuri, K3BU.us Herb Schoenbohm Two out of three tower still up and had taken the 5 element 20,15,10 down before the Hurricane hit. House did fin
Due to low sunspot activity the atmo/ionosphere shrinks, layer's height decreases, skip/ducting is impacted. Please se my old article http://k3bu.us/propagation.htm Also weather changes become more
To put it simple terms: Sun(spot) activity is low, atmo/ionosphere layers height has shrunk. RF mirrors/ducts are lower, propagation is squished (sucks). I remember 1958 when I could work the whole w
K3BU retirement sale: 1972 Buick LeSabre Custom "K3BU Radiomobile" Ideal classic car for mobile operation, running great 350 V8, 104k miles, green, few minor rusty spots, needs muffler, have new
Sorry to hear about Jack's QSY to radio heaven. I had privilege to visit him few times and tried to shake few low band records, one is still there as VA1A on 80m CQ WPX CW for NA. It was like drivin
I think the best vertical installations were done by old radio engineers. No modeling programs, but tedious solid measurements reflecting reality. What I saw at WOO - Long Lines AT&T station is perh
Not knowing about "gyros", but when operating and having vertical and horizontal antennas available, I remember times when QSB was happening on one antenna, switching to the "other" polarization ante
Speaking of "two ears" Going back to using two Drake R4B receivers, two antennas, one on each ear, there would be times when "two ears" heard the signal, while switching to each other there would be
Big question mark, we are heading to another sunspot minimum or quite possibly another Maunder - deeep cycles minimum, possibly lasting few cycles. Happened once in 1650 -1750. Maybe God answer to a
Restoration project. Was new, never in service. Bottom portion of cabinet, power supplies flooded during Sandy. Exciter and PA stage were not flooded, tubes never powered. Blowers need replacement. O